Football news - Prandelli's Genoa hold SPAL despite early red card

Genoa held SPAL to a 1-1 draw in Serie A in their first match under former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli on Sunday despite playing for nearly 80 minutes with 10 men.

Prandelli, who became Genoa's third coach of the season when he replaced Ivan Juric on Friday, saw his team get off to a nightmare start as they had their captain Domenico Criscito sent off and fell behind in the first quarter of an hour.

Criscito was given a straight red card for a reckless high tackle on Pasquale Schiattarella in the 11th minute and Andrea Petagna headed SPAL in front four minutes later after a Schiattarella free kick was flicked on.

But Genoa fought back and equalised seven minutes before halftime with Krzysztof Piatek's 11th goal of the season, leaving him as Serie A's outright leading scorer, one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ciro Immobile.

Cristian Romero went down in the area, the referee awarded a penalty after a VAR review and the Polish forward sent Alfred Gomis the wrong way from the spot.

Genoa, who extended their winless run to eight league games, are 15th in Serie A with 16 points, one place and one point above SPAL. Juric's dismissal on Friday was the third time he has been sacked by the club, all within the last two years.